For the past 10 weeks 15 officers, mostly based at Bognor, West Sussex, have been learning Polish phrases and the alphabet.

Poles are the fastest growing ethnic community in the area – even the West Sussex County Council website prints some pages in the language.

PC Ash Rochester, from the neighbourhood policing team at Bognor, said: 'I know just about enough to get by now. But I'm far from fluent. It's been a lot of fun.'

The course, taught by Polish national Aleks Chomicz who has lived in Arun for two-and-a-half years, aims to break down linguistic and cultural barriers between the police and Polish people in the district.

Officers have learned how to give directions, how to ask a person's name and address and how to calm down a volatile situation.

A report by Professor Chris Gaine, from the University of Chichester, said hostility was rife for Polish immigrants living in and around Chichester.

Dr Gaine found that individuals from eastern Europe had suffered hostility, verbal abuse and even physical assault.

Chief Inspector Brian Bracher, Arun District Commander for Sussex Police, said: 'We already have translation services at police stations but this was more about general communication. It was felt to be a good starting point.'